USG Imaging of Brachial Plexus Sheath & Its Fascial Compartments at Costoclavicular Space & Infraclavicular Fossa

Ultrasound Imaging of the Brachial Plexus Sheath and Its Fascial Compartments at the Costoclavicular Space and Infraclavicular Fossa

The existence of the brachial plexus sheath (BPS) and its septae and compartments has been a subject of debate and controversy. Numerous cadaver studies indicate that BPS is present while other researchers based on limited clinical data suggest none. Nevertheless, cumulative evidence over the last six decades indicate that it is multi-layered, fibrous and a web-like connective tissue that is derived from the deep cervical fascia and fused with the deep fascia of the arm The BPS completely envelopes that neurovascular bundle and filed with loose connective tissue and fat. It is a multi-compartment structure in the axilla with each nerve having a separate compartment, that communicate with each other. Some studies suggested that the septae affect the spread of local anesthetic during an axillary or infraclavicular brachial plexus block, while some suggest the opposite. With the use of ultrasound imaging, researchers found the presence of this connective tissue septum within the BPS at the costoclavicular space and infraclavicular fossa. The septum is visualized as a linear hyperechoic band on ultrasound imaging and when present appears to reduce the spread of the drugs during brachial plexus block. Yet the anatomy is poorly seen with the previous generation of ultrasound imaging. The aim of this study is to define the connective tissue (fascial) layers that surround the brachial plexus and its septum at the infraclavicular fossa by reviewing our archived high definition ultrasound images of 100 patients who had successfully undergone the ultrasound guided brachial plexus block over a 5 year period (2013 to 2018).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Musculoskeletal Diseases or Conditions
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Ultrasound guided Costoclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

Detailed Description

This is a retrospective study reviewing archived high definition ultrasound images as multiple short video loops (6 seconds) in avi format from 100 adult patients who had undergone ultrasound guided costoclavicular brachial plexus block for surgical anesthesia for their upper limb surgery over a 5 year period, from April 2013 to April 2018 by three experienced anesthesiologists. Demographics data such as age, gender, body mass index, ASA Physical Classification System, local anesthetic drug used and mode of anesthesia can be retrieved from patients' record or Clinical Management System. No direct contact nor intervention will be done to the patients in this study, so waiver of patient informed consent has been sought. There will be no patients' data in any of the ultrasound images as the ultrasound video loops for the costoclavicular brachial plexus block are routinely saved anonymously for all patients. All information related to the patients will be kept confidential and they will not be identified in any form in future publications.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 100

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hong Kong
  • New Territories
    • Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
      • Prince of Wales Hosptial

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 66 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

100 adult patients who had undergone ultrasound guided costoclavicular brachial plexus block for surgical anesthesia during forearm or hand surgery over a 5 year period, from April 2013 to April 2018.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Archived high definition ultrasound images (datasets) as multiple short video loop (6 seconds) in avi format from 100 adult patients who had undergone ultrasound guided costoclavicular brachial plexus block for surgical anesthesia during forearm or hand surgery, over a 5 year period, from April 2013 to April 2018 will be retrieved for review.

Exclusion Criteria:

• > 70 years old, BMI >30, ASA physical status > III, and with previous history surgery over the infraclavicular fossa

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Retrospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
ultrasound visibility of the anatomical structures around the neck	Positive or negative ultrasound visibility (yes or no response) of a given anatomical structure (pectoralis major muscle, subclavius muscle, serratus anterior muscle, costoclavicular space, axillary artery, lateral, medial and posterior cords of the brachial plexus, brachial plexus space (BPS), septum within the BPS, and the anterior & posterior compartment) will be agreed upon by consensus among the three outcome assessors. If a structure is visible the quality of ultrasound visibility will be assessed using a 4-point Likert scale (0=not visible, 1=hardly visible, 2=well visible, 3=very well visible). The total ultrasound visibility score (UVS, maximum score possible is 36 at the costoclavicular space and 33 at the lateral infraclavicular fossa will thereby computed.	1 day (will be reviewed once)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Areeruk P, Karmakar MK, Reina MA, Mok LYH, Sivakumar RK, Sala-Blanch X. High-definition ultrasound imaging defines the paraneural sheath and fascial compartments surrounding the cords of the brachial plexus at the costoclavicular space and lateral infraclavicular fossa. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Jun;46(6):500-506. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2020-102304. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): December 31, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 29, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): April 30, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 27, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2021
• Last Verified: January 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: HD BPS Protocol Version 1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No